Aio Wireless, AT&T Wireless' new lower priced prepaid brand that's currently only available in a few cities, posted on Facebook and Twitter that they are going to launch in four more markets next month. They aren't telling us where however. Instead they are running a "Where's Aio"contest. To play, follow Aio on Facebook where they are posting clues. Enter your guess in a comment on the Aio Facebook page to enter. There's no mention of any prizes so I guess the contest is just for fun.

The first clue has already been published. It reads:

Healthy runner types, like 60,000 of them, from all around the world descend on this city each Independence Day for what is one of the largest 10K road races in the world. This is a city-wide tradition drenched in red, white, and blue. Where’s Aio running to next?

I'm 99% sure this refers to Atlanta GA's 10K Peachtree Road Race which is held annually on July 4th, had 60,000 participants in 2012 and has a red, white and blue logo.

Aio has four plans with prices that undercut AT&T's GoPhone offerings by quite a bit. Aio data speeds are slightly throttled however. LTE data is limited to a maximum of 8 Mbps and 4G HSPA+ is throttled to 4 Mbps. Aio is currently available in Houston Texas and Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Fl Naples and Ft. Myers, Florida. Nationwide availability is promised in 2014.

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Unless you use over 6 GB of data, I don't see the allure of AiO. For example, you can buy GoPhone refills for the $60 plan at callingmart which equates to about the same (this is assuming you are using the 10% discount).

Physical stores are a very significant part of the prepaid business. I believe that MetroPCS robust dealer network was largely responsible for Metro's growth and success. Dealers are a major part of Sprint's prepaid strategy with Boost and Virgin as well.

I believe Aio stores are all independent dealers who may have closer ties to particular markets like immigrant populations. This is similar to what Sprint is doing with Boost and T-Mobile with GoSmart.

I do not understand their marketing plan. Why wouldn't they offer national online ordering? Aio works in EVERY ATT market. ATT already sells GoPhone and contract service online. Also, what is the difference in Aio's $55 smartphone plan and GoPhone's $60 smartphone plan?

Most people don't want to study the prepaid cellphone market, buy online and reconfigure their devices. They want to go to a store, look at phones to find one they like, and have another human help them find a good plan. That is why postpaid still works at very high prices, even though prepaid is growing faster. Physical stores for prepaid service bridge the gap, and will help mobile companies get as much revenue as possible from each prepaid customer. Tracfone brands and Aio will do this, and others will follow if it works well.

Aio is a new concept for AT&T. Their stores do not push GoPhone; they steer customers to postpaid. Aio stores sell prepaid plans only. And then there is the 'Aio Way,' which is a lot different than the experience in AT&T stores:http://www.aiowireless.com/why-aio/aio-way.htmlA New Way to Wireless, See How Aio is Different > :http://www.aiowireless.com/why-aio.html

AT&T stores are not attracting the value-oriented customers who want simple, unlimited plans with lots of data at a bargain price, in a pleasant shopping environment (the target for Aio). AT&T is losing this business to the other carriers; just look at the flat GoPhone numbers while the other carriers are adding a lot of new ones.

And you think that changing the name is all they need to do? Just throw away all the GoPhone brand equity they spend hundreds of millions of dollars to build? THAT is more risk than creating Aio. It certainly is not going to improve the prepaid shopping experience in AT&T stores. A name change is not going to bring back prior shoppers who did not like the store experience.

Okay Mike, along with gopgone that the stores don't push! Not everybody knows and cares about every aspect of prepaid, they just want a p phone at a good price, and in person support id needed, the market is huge for this type of customer.